Monday, May 16, 2011

“Progressives” Criticize Colorado School District for Holding Graduation at Church

For a decade, Colorado’s Lewis-Palmer school district has held graduation at the U.S. Air Force Academy, but increased security this year forced a last-minute change of plans.

New Life Church offered its massive auditorium for free, and the school district — which is located several miles north of the church and the academy, as well as Focus on the Family — gladly accepted. The relocation reportedly is saving the district $3,700.

As if on cue, ProgressNow Colorado — which aims to “counter the messaging capacity of the far right” — objected, calling it “fundamentally wrong” to hold the May 17 graduation at a church that adheres to biblical truths.

“It’s not going to be a church service,” said John Borman, principal of Lewis-Palmer High School. “It’s going to be a graduation ceremony.”

Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of Texas’ Liberty Institute, said he’s seen many similar scenarios. “Some people are so intolerant that they don’t want to ever come in contact with any place where anyone else has ever been that had a thought that they disagreed with,” he said, “but that’s not the approach we take in America.”